The number of deaths from flu-related illness jumped when Kern County Public Health reported a ninth person died on Thursday.

This is an increase from the six reported early Tuesday.

Kim Rodriguez, spokeswoman for the county public health department, said earlier in the week that not all deaths have been confirmed as being flu-related.

Public Health also reported that 69 people have been hospitalized since Dec. 27, up by 10 from 59 cases on Wednesday.

Of those numbers, 44 have been admitted to intensive care units over the period. County staff have confirmed that 39 of the 69 patients have tested positive for Flu Type A — sixteen of which are H1N1.

Health officials also warned about the prominence and danger of the dominant influenza strain this year, H1N1 (or swine flu). Kern County Public Health reported it has become prevalent among people from late 20s to those in their 50s.

The first suspected deaths were reported on Jan. 7, and the numbers have increased since then across the county and state.

Health officials from the state on down to local nurses stressed the need for people to receive their flu shots.

“It’s the best defense against getting the flu,” said Sue Lemon, director for Infection Control at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital.